KIA

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courtesy of
AWM

George was was born in Bacchus Marsh⁽¹⁾, VIC in 1894 to Andrew Mitchelson and Harriet Hinchcliff.

George was a labourer in Rushworth, VIC when he enlisted in the AIF, 2^nd Reinforcements, 37^th Battalion on the 7^th of April 1916, aged 21 - he had previously been in the Senior Cadets and had tried to enlist previously three times⁽²⁾. He embarked aboard the RMS Orontes in August and during the passage was fined one day's pay for smoking on the Troop Deck.

In early October 1916 George disembarked at Plymouth, England and joined his unit three weeks later before he embarked for France. In December he was hospitalised for three weeks with mumps. In late February he was reported missing, later reported dead.

He was in HQ Scouts and in the Houplines sector at the time. He was bringing back a German prisoner and finding that he had no ammunition for a German revolver he had got, he went back to try and find some. He did not return. His body was however found two weeks later by men of the 9th Brigade, who brought it in.

Source: Pte. Nicoll 651 - Red Cross Wounded & Missing

He is buried Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, France .

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour, the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour and the Holy Trinity Church Roll of Honour, Bacchus Marsh.

Notes

1. Service records state Bacchus Marsh, indexes of BDM state Ascot Vale.
2. The Bacchus Marsh Express 24 Mar 1917